It's been a difficult season at times for the Tavistock Royals, but it would feel a little different if the Western Ontario Athletic Association senior men's hockey team can beat Petrolia for the single-A championship.

“We're coming together as a team in the playoffs,” Royals head coach Brad Stere said. “Mind you we're playing teams lower in the league, but Petrolia was in double-A and was in the final last year. They had some suspension issues (this season) and lost some points and came down to single-A.”

Tavistock went 7-13 in the regular season and finished 10th in the 13-team league.

“It was a tough year for us,” Stere said. “We had some injuries, lost some key players. We have some new players that are good ones but it's been a tough year all around for us.”

Zach Lorentz had seven goals and nine points in nine games but was knocked out the lineup with an ailment. Other players were banged up or had family/job commitments and missed games, which is the norm in senior men's hockey.

“It's tough to get the players to be out all the time,” Stere said. “It's a different lineup every night.”

Stere was a player with the Royals for part of the 1980s and into the 90s, and he's been the team's head coach and/or general manager for around 15 years.

“The league has gotten much more competitive,” he said. “Back when I played 90 per cent of the players (on the Royals) were from Tavistock. Now you have to reach out and find other players of Junior B calibre if you want to stay in double-A, so it's tough to do, especially to try and compete with Clinton.”

The Radars went undefeated in the regular season and are gunning for a third straight title. Stere knows the Royals have a long way to go before they climb the standings and challenge the best teams.

There are a few local players on the roster, including former Stratford Cullitons forward Deven Kropf and defenceman Tristan Hohl. Kropf had five goals and 14 points in his second season, while Hohl picked up two assists.

Stere hopes the duo can replicate the success of Wes Kropf and Reid Yantzi – former Cullitons who helped bring a championship to their hometown team in 2008.

“They want to play and they come out and bring some of their buddies they know from Junior B teams, which helps build your team.”

Troy Williams, who played for the Waterloo Siskins from 2010-12, led the Royals with 21 points.

Goalie Mike Roefs – who played junior in Woodstock, St. Thomas, Port Stanley and Cambridge – appeared in 13 games.

The Royals beat Shallow Lake in five games in the single-A semifinal and open the final Friday in Petrolia.

“They're a tough team to play, especially in Petrolia,” Stere said. “Small barn, physical team and an older team with many players who have been in the league for years. Hopefully our youth can get them moving some more.”

Petrolia won two of three meetings in the regular season.

“We had shown we could be a quality team at certain parts of the season, and it's all coming together now,” Stere said. “Players get amped up for playoffs and everybody is coming and we're rolling good.”'